Liquid crystal display device comprising a pixel electrode having a first edge portion connected to one distal end of a stem portion of the pixel electrode

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, and a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate, the pixel electrode including a first stem electrode that extends in a first direction, a second stem electrode that extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersects with the first stem electrode, a plurality of branch electrodes, the branch electrodes extending obliquely to the first direction and the second direction from the first stem electrode and the second stem electrode, a first connection electrode that connects distal ends of some of the branch electrodes to each other, extends in the first direction and intersects with the second stem electrode, and a first edge electrode that is connected to one distal end of the second stem electrode and extends in the first direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application based on pending application Ser. No.15/351,694, filed Nov. 15, 2016, the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0054473, filed on May 3, 2016, inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Liquid CrystalDisplay Device,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments relate to a liquid crystal display device

2. Description of the Related Art

The liquid crystal display device is one of display devices that aremost widely used at present. The liquid crystal display device includestwo substrates formed with field-generating electrodes such as a pixelelectrode and a common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer injectedtherebetween, and displays an image, by applying a voltage to thefield-generating electrodes to form the electric field in the liquidcrystal layer, and by determining the alignment of the liquid crystal ofthe liquid crystal layer and controlling the polarization of incidentlight.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to a liquid crystal display device including asubstrate, and a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate, the pixelelectrode including a first stem electrode that extends in a firstdirection, a second stem electrode that extends in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction and intersects with the first stemelectrode, a plurality of branch electrodes, the branch electrodesextending obliquely to the first direction and the second direction fromthe first stem electrode and the second stem electrode, a firstconnection electrode that connects distal ends of some of the branchelectrodes to each other, extends in the first direction and intersectswith the second stem electrode, and a first edge electrode that isconnected to one distal end of the second stem electrode and extends inthe first direction.

Embodiments are also directed to a liquid crystal display deviceincluding a substrate, a first gate line and a second gate line that aredisposed on the substrate, extend in a first direction, and areinsulated from each other, a data line that is disposed on the firstgate line, is insulated from the first gate line and the second gateline, and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection, and a pixel electrode that is disposed on the data line andis insulated from the first gate line, the second gate line, and thedata line, the pixel electrode including a first stem electrode thatextends in a first direction, a second stem electrode that extends inthe second direction and intersects with the first stem electrode, aplurality of branch electrodes, the branch electrodes extendingobliquely to the first direction and the second direction from the firststem electrode and the second stem electrode, a first connectionelectrode that connects distal ends of some of the branch electrodes toeach other, extends in the first direction, and intersects with thesecond stem electrode, a second connection electrode that connects thedistal ends of the remaining branch electrodes to each other, extends inthe first direction, and intersects with the second stem electrode on anopposite side of the first connection electrode, and a first edgeelectrode that is connected to one distal end of the second stemelectrode and extends in the first direction. The first edge electrodemay be disposed between the first connection electrode and the firstgate line, and the second connection electrode may be disposed tooverlap the second gate line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features will become apparent to those of skill in the art by describingin detail example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a layout diagram of a first display substrate that isincluded in a liquid crystal display device according to an exampleembodiment, more specifically, illustrating a partial structure of asingle pixel and two pixels adjacent thereto;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal displaydevice including the first display substrate of FIG. 1 taken along lineI-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal displaydevice including the first display substrate of FIG. 1 taken along theline II-II′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a pixel electrode of a single pixel ofthe liquid crystal display device including the first display substrateof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged plan view illustrating a region A of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a graph of the direction in which the liquid crystalis tilted along III-III′ of FIG. 4 through measurement;

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph of the degree of improvement in visibility ofthe liquid crystal display device according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates a graph of the degrees of improvement intransmittance and visibility of the liquid crystal display deviceaccording to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a photograph obtained in the case of viewing a regioncorresponding to an active region of the liquid crystal display deviceaccording to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 from the front, in aliquid crystal display device according to a comparative example;

FIG. 10 illustrates a photograph obtained in the case of viewing theactive region of the liquid crystal display device according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 from the front;

FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of a pixel electrode of a liquid crystaldisplay device according to another example embodiment;

FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate photographs of an active region for each timeperiod in a case where a width of a first connection electrode is 2.6μM;

FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate photographs of an active region for each timeperiod in a case where the width of the first connection electrode is 3μm;

FIG. 18 illustrates a plan view of a pixel electrode of a liquid crystaldisplay device according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 19 illustrates an enlarged plan view illustrating a region B ofFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 illustrates a graph of the degree of improvement in visibilityof the liquid crystal display device according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 illustrates a plan view of a pixel electrode of a liquid crystaldisplay device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 22 illustrates a plan view of the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 23 illustrates a plan view of the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 24 illustrates a plan view of the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 25 illustrates a plan view of the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 26 illustrates a plan view of the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 27 illustrates a plan view of the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 28 illustrates a plan view of the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 29 illustrates a layout diagram of a single pixel of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment;

FIG. 30 illustrates an enlarged plan view illustrating the pixelelectrode of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a linecorresponding to the line I-I′ illustrated in FIG. 1 in a liquid crystaldisplay device according to still another example embodiment; and

FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a linecorresponding to the line I-I′ illustrated in FIG. 1 in the liquidcrystal display device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG.31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied indifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey example implementations to those skilled in the art.

In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity of illustration. Like reference numerals referto like elements throughout.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first elementdiscussed below could be termed a second element without departing fromthe teachings of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

FIG. 1 is a layout diagram of a first display substrate that is includedin a liquid crystal display device according to an example embodiment,more specifically, illustrating a partial structure of a single pixeland two pixels adjacent thereto. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of theliquid crystal display device including the first display substrate ofFIG. 1 taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewof the liquid crystal display device including the first displaysubstrate of FIG. 1 taken along the line II-II′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is aplan view illustrating a pixel electrode of a single pixel of the liquidcrystal display device including the first display substrate of FIG. 1.FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a region A of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, a liquid crystal display deviceaccording to an example embodiment includes a first display substrate100, a second display substrate 300, and a liquid crystal layer 200.Furthermore, the liquid crystal display device may further include apair of polarizers attached to the outside surfaces of the first displaysubstrate 100 and the second display substrate 300.

A switching element for driving the liquid crystal 210 of the liquidcrystal layer 200, for example, a thin film transistor 167, is disposedon the first display substrate 100. The second display substrate 300 isa substrate which is disposed to face the first display substrate 100.

The liquid crystal layer 200 is interposed between the first displaysubstrate 100 and the second display substrate 300, and may include aplurality of liquid crystals 210 having dielectric constant anisotropy.When the electric field is applied between the first display substrate100 and the second display substrate 300, the liquid crystal 210 maytransmit or cut off light by rotating in a particular direction betweenthe first display substrate 100 and the second display substrate 300.Here, the term “rotation” may include the meaning that the alignment ofthe liquid crystal 210 changes by the electric field, as well as theactual rotation of the liquid crystal 210.

The liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixels 10arranged in the form of a matrix. The gradations of each pixel 10 can beindependently controlled, and each pixel may be a basic unit fordisplaying a particular color. As shown in FIG. 2, each pixel 10includes an active region 11, which is a region in which colors areactually displayed by transmitting the light incident on the bottom ofthe first display substrate 100 to the top of the second displaysubstrate 300. A total of three pixels 10_p, 10, and 10_n areillustrated in FIG. 1 as an example. For convenience, on the basis ofFIG. 1, the pixel 10 arranged at the top is referred to as a previouspixel 10_p and a pixel 10 arranged at the bottom is referred to as anext pixel 10_n. Further, a pixel 10 referred to without a special andadditional description will be referred to as a pixel 10 disposed at thecenter of FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, the first display substrate 100 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first display substrate 100 includes a firstbase substrate 110. The first base substrate 110 may be a transparentinsulating substrate. For example, the first base substrate 110 may bemade of a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a transparent resinsubstrate, or the like.

In some embodiments, the first base substrate 110 may also be curvedalong one direction. In some other embodiments, the first base substrate110 may also have flexibility. For example, the first base substrate 110may be deformed by rolling, folding, bending, or the like.

A gate line 122, a gate electrode 124, and a light-shielding pattern 125are disposed on the first base substrate 110.

The gate line 122 transmits a gate signal that controls the thin filmtransistor 167, as described further below. The gate line 122 may have ashape extending in a first direction D1.

Here, the first direction D1 corresponds to a direction extending inparallel with one side of the first base substrate 110 on the plane inwhich the first base substrate 110 is disposed, and may be defined as adirection indicated by an arbitrary straight line that extends from leftto right as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the first direction does notneed to be parallel to the one side of the first base substrate 110 andmay also be a direction indicated by an arbitrary straight lineextending in a specific direction on the first base substrate 110.

The gate signal may be a signal having a varying voltage value providedfrom the outside, and turning on/off of the thin film transistor 167 maybe controlled to correspond to the voltage value of the gate signal.

The gate line 122 may extend along the first direction D1 for each pixel10, and may be disposed over a boundary between the previous pixel 10_pand the pixel 10 or over a boundary the pixel 10 and the next pixel10_n.

The gate electrode 124 may be formed as a protrusion from the gate line122, and may be physically connected to the gate line 122. The gateelectrode 124 may be a single component that makes up the thin filmtransistor 167, as described further below.

The light-shielding pattern 125 may cut off the transmission of thelight through the first display substrate 100 and the second displaysubstrate 300 in the region in which the light-shielding pattern 125 isdisposed, and may help minimize a deterioration of display qualitycaused by scattering and reflection of light due to each constituentelement, as described further below. The light shielding pattern 125 maybe disposed on the first base substrate 110. The light-shielding pattern125 may be disposed to be physically spaced apart from the gate line 122and the gate electrode 124, and may be a conductor that is maintained ina floating state, i.e., a state in which a voltage is not directlyapplied.

The light-shielding pattern 125 may be disposed to overlap a contacthole 188, as described further below, or a second stem electrode 182, asdescribed further below, and the arrangement thereof will be describedbelow.

The gate line 122, the gate electrode 124, and the light-shieldingpattern 125 may be made of the same material. As an example, the gateline 122, the gate electrode 124 and the light-shielding pattern 125 maycontain an aluminum-based metal such as aluminum (Al) and aluminumalloy, a silver-based metal such as silver (Ag) and silver alloy, acopper-based metal such as copper (Cu) or copper alloy, amolybdenum-based metal such as molybdenum (Mo) and molybdenum alloy,chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta) and titanium (Ti). The gate line 122, thegate electrode 124, and the light-shielding pattern 125 may have asingle layer structure or may also have a multilayer structure thatincludes at least two conductive films with physical propertiesdifferent from each other.

The gate insulating film 130 is disposed on the gate line 122, the gateelectrode 124, and the light-shielding pattern 125. The gate insulatingfilm 130 may be made of an insulating material, and as an example, itmay be made of silicon nitride or silicon oxide. The gate insulatingfilm 130 may be made of a single layer structure, or may have amultilayer structure including two insulating layers with physicalproperties different from each other.

A semiconductor layer 140 may be disposed on the gate insulating film130. The semiconductor layer 140 may at least partially overlap the gateelectrode 124. The semiconductor layer 140 may be formed of amorphoussilicon, polycrystalline silicon, or an oxide semiconductor, etc.

The semiconductor layer 140 may overlap the gate electrode 124 and mayalso be disposed to overlap at least a part or all of a data line 162, asource electrode 165, and a drain electrode 166, as described furtherbelow, depending on the process procedure.

In some embodiments, an ohmic contact member may be additionallydisposed on the semiconductor layer 140. The ohmic contact member may beformed of, for example, n+ hydrogenated amorphous silicon doped withn-type impurities at high concentration or may be formed of silicide.The ohmic contact members may be disposed in pairs on the semiconductorlayer 140. The ohmic contact member may be disposed among the sourceelectrode 165, the drain electrode 166, and the semiconductor layer 140to allow them to have ohmic contact characteristics. In animplementation, the semiconductor layer 140 includes an oxidesemiconductor and the ohmic contact member is omitted.

The data line 162, the source electrode 165, and the drain electrode 166may be disposed on the semiconductor layer 140 and the gate insulatingfilm 130.

The data line 162 may extend in the second direction D2 and mayintersect with the gate line 122.

Here, the second direction D2 may be a direction intersecting with thefirst direction D1 on the plane in which the first base substrate 110 isdisposed, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the second direction may be adirection indicated by an arbitrary straight line extending from thelower side to the upper side. In some embodiments, the first directionD1 and the second direction D2 may perpendicularly intersect with eachother.

The data line 162 may be insulated from the gate line 122, the gateelectrode 124, and a sustain line by the gate insulating film 130.

The data line 162 may provide a data signal to the source electrode 165.Here, the data signal may be a signal having a varying voltage valueprovided from the outside, and the gradation of each pixel 10 may becontrolled to correspond to the data signal.

The source electrode 165 may branch from the data line 162 and may atleast partially overlap the gate electrode 124.

The drain electrode 166 may be disposed to be spaced apart from thesource electrode 165 with the semiconductor layer 140 interposedtherebetween on the basis of the viewing point of FIG. 1, and may atleast partially overlap the gate electrode 124.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the source electrode 165 may be formed in theform of surrounding the drain electrode 166 in a “U” shape at fixedintervals. However, the source electrode 165 may extend in a rod shape,and may also be disposed to be spaced apart from the drain electrode 166in parallel at regular intervals, etc.

The semiconductor layer 140 may also be disposed in a region between thesource electrode 165 and the drain electrode 166 formed by the sourceelectrode 165 and the drain electrode 166 being spaced apart from eachother. For example, the source electrode 165 and the drain electrode 166partially overlap the semiconductor layer 140 or are in contact with thesemiconductor layer 140, and may be disposed to face each other with thesemiconductor layer 140 interposed therebetween.

The data line 162, the source electrode 165, and the drain electrode 166may be made of the same material. As an example, the data line 162, thesource electrode 165, and the drain electrode 166 may be made ofaluminum, copper, silver, molybdenum, chromium, titanium, tantalum, oran alloy thereof. Further, the data line 162, the source electrode 165,and the drain electrode 166 may also have, for example, a multilayerstructure having a lower film such as a refractory metal and alow-resistance upper film formed thereon.

The gate electrode 124, the semiconductor layer 140, the sourceelectrode 165, and the drain electrode 166 may constitute the thin filmtransistor 167. The thin film transistor 167 may be disposed in a regionother than the active region 11.

A first passivation film 171 may be disposed on the gate insulating film130 and the thin film transistor 167. The first passivation film 171 maybe made of an inorganic insulating material and may be disposed to coverthe thin film transistor 167. The first passivation film 171 may protectthe thin film transistor 167, and may prevent a substance contained in acolor filter layer 172 and a planarization film 173 (to be describedbelow) from flowing into the semiconductor layer 140.

A color filter layer 172 may be disposed on the first passivation film171. The color filter layer 172 may be a photosensitive organiccomposition that contains a pigment for providing a color, and mayinclude, for example, any one of red, green, and blue pigments. As anexample, the color filter layer 172 may include a plurality of colorfilters. As an example, any one of the plurality of color filters maydisplay one of primary colors such as three primary colors of red,green, and blue. In an implementation, the plurality of color filtersmay display any one of cyan, magenta, yellow, and white colors.

The planarization film 173 may be disposed on the color filter layer172. The planarization film 173 may flatten a local step generated bycomponents located between the planarization film 173 and the first basesubstrate 110. Thus, the upper surface of the planarization film 173 maybe substantially flat.

A second passivation film 174 may be disposed on the planarization film173. The second passivation film 174 may be made of an inorganicinsulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or siliconoxynitride, etc. The second passivation film 174 may help prevent theliquid crystal layer 200 from being contaminated by organic matter, suchas solvent introduced from the planarization film 173 and the colorfilter layer 172. Thus, it may be possible to prevent a defect such as aresidual image that may be generated at the time of driving the liquidcrystal display device. In some embodiments, the second passivation film174 may be omitted.

A contact hole 188 may be formed in the first passivation film 171, thecolor filter layer 172, the planarization film 173, and the secondpassivation film 174. The contact hole 188 may expose some of the thinfilm transistor 167 and, for example, some of the drain electrode 166 tothe top along the direction perpendicular to the first base substrate110. Some of the drain electrode 166 and the pixel electrode 180, asdescribed further below, disposed at the top of the second passivationfilm 174 may be physically and electrically connected to each otherthrough the contact hole 188.

The pixel electrode 180 and the shielding electrode 189 may be disposedon the second passivation film 174.

The pixel electrode 180 may receive the data signal from the drainelectrode 166 by being physically and electrically connected to thedrain electrode 166 through the contact hole 188.

The pixel electrode 180 may be made of a transparent conductive materialsuch as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tin zincoxide (ITZO), or Al-doped zinc oxide (AZO), etc.

The pixel electrodes 180, 180 may include an opening portion on which anelectrically conductive material is not disposed. A pattern is formed onthe pixel electrode 180 by the opening portion, and a tilted directionof the liquid crystal 210 disposed to overlap the pixel electrode 180may be controlled depending on the shape and pattern of the pixelelectrode 180.

The pixel electrode 180 includes a first stem electrode 181, a secondstem electrode 182, a plurality of branch electrodes 183, a firstconnection electrode 184_1, a second connection electrode 184_2, a firstedge electrode 185, a first auxiliary electrode 186_1, a secondauxiliary electrode 186_2, and a protrusion 187.

Most of the components constituting the pixel electrode 180 are disposedin the active region 11, but some components, for example, the secondconnection electrode 184_2, the first auxiliary electrode 186_1, thesecond auxiliary electrode 186_2, and the protrusion 187, may be locatedoutside the active region 11.

The first stem electrode 181 may extend along the first direction D1,and the second stem electrode 182 may extend along the second directionD2. The first stem electrode 181 and the second stem electrode 182 mayintersect with each other in a cross shape, and may be physicallyconnected to each other at the point of intersection.

The first stem electrode 181 and the second stem electrode 182 may bedisposed in the active region 11 to form a cross shape. Thus, the activeregion 11 may be divided into four regions. Here, a region disposed atthe right top from the intersection between the first stem electrode 181and the second stem electrode 182 will be defined as a first domainregion DM1, a region disposed at the left top will be defined as asecond domain region DM2, a region disposed at the left bottom will bedefined as a third domain region DM3, and a region disposed at the rightbottom will be defined as a fourth domain region DM4.

A plurality of branch electrodes 183 may be provided. The branchelectrodes 183 may extend in an oblique direction that is not parallelto the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 from the first stemelectrode 181 and the second stem electrode 182. The branch electrodes183 may extend in the same direction within each domain region. Forexample, the branch electrodes 183 may extend to face the right top inthe first domain region DM1, may extend to face the left top in thesecond domain region DM2, may extend to face the left bottom in thethird domain region DM3, and may extend to face the right bottom in thefourth domain region DM4.

An absolute value of an included angle formed between the branchelectrode 183 and the first direction D1 may be, for example, 30° to 60°in each of the first to fourth domain regions DM1, DM2, DM3, and DM4.For example, the absolute value of the included angle formed betweeneach first branch electrode 183 and the first direction D1 may be about45°.

First fine slits 191 are disposed between the branch electrodes 183disposed in parallel with each other. The first fine slits 191 may beopening portions in which a transparent conductive material is notdisposed. Because the first fine slits 191 are disposed between the twobranch electrodes 183 disposed in parallel with each other, the firstfine slits 191 may extend along the same direction as the extendingdirection of the branch electrodes 183 adjacent to each other in eachdomain region.

The first connection electrode 184_1 and the second connection electrode184_2 connect the distal ends of the branch electrodes 183 to eachother, extend along the first direction D1, and are disposed tointersect with the second stem electrode 182. For example, the firstconnection electrode 184_1 may connect the distal ends of the branchelectrodes 183 disposed in the third domain region DM3 and the fourthdomain region DM4 to each other. The second connection electrode 184_2may connect the distal ends of the branch electrodes 183 disposed in thefirst domain region DM1 and the second domain region DM2 to each other.Consequentially, the first connection electrode 184_1 extends inparallel with the first stem electrode 181 and is disposed at the bottomof the first stem electrode 181, and the second connection electrode184_2 extends in parallel with the first stem electrode 181 and may bedisposed at the top of the first stem electrode 181.

Because the first connection electrode 184_1 and the second connectionelectrode 184_2 connect the distal ends of the branch electrodes 183 inwhich the electric field formed in the liquid crystal layer 200 islikely to be irregularly formed, it is possible to prevent themisalignment of the liquid crystal 210 and a decrease in transmittanceat the distal ends of the branch electrodes 183.

The first edge electrode 185 extends along the first direction D1 and isdisposed to be connected to one distal end of the second stem electrode182. The first edge electrode 185 may be connected to the distal endclose to the gate line 122 connected to the control terminal of the thinfilm transistor 167, of the two distal ends of the second stem electrode182. Thus, the first edge electrode 185 is disposed adjacent to thefirst connection electrode 184_1 and in parallel with the firstconnection electrode 184_1 at intervals, and the first edge electrode185 may be disposed to form a 180° rotation shape of a “T” shape withthe second stem electrode 182. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, fromthe viewing point of viewing the first base substrate 110, the firstedge electrode 185 is disposed adjacent to the gate line 122 and inparallel with the gate line 122 at intervals, and may be disposed inparallel with the gate line 122 at intervals. Consequentially, the firstconnection electrode 184_1, the first edge electrode 185, and the gateline 122 extend in parallel with one another along the first directionD1, and the first edge electrode 185 may be disposed between the firstconnection electrode 184_1 and the gate line 122.

A second fine slit 192 is disposed between the first connectionelectrode 184_1 and the first edge electrode 185. The second fine slit192 may be an opening portion in which a transparent conductive materialis not disposed. Because the second fine slit 192 is disposed betweenthe first connection electrode 184_1 and the first edge electrode 185extending in the first direction D1 and disposed in parallel with eachother, the second fine slit 192 may extend along the first direction D1similarly to the first connection electrode 184_1 and the first edgeelectrode 185.

With the arrangement of the aforementioned first edge electrode 185, theeffect of improving the visibility and improving the transmittance canbe maximized in the region in which the first edge electrode 185 and thesecond fine slit 192 are disposed.

For example, the display qualities of the pixel electrode 180 and thegate line 122 for controlling the same may be degraded due to akick-back phenomenon when overlapping. Here, when the kick-backphenomenon is a phenomenon in which, when the gate signal provided tothe gate line 122 changes from an on-level voltage value to an off-levelvoltage value, the voltage charged to the pixel electrode 180 dropsunder its influence. Because this reduces the charging rate of the pixelelectrode 180 and causes a user to recognize blinking, or the like,there is a risk of a degradation of display quality. Accordingly, thepixel electrode 180 and the gate line 122 for controlling the same aredisposed at a fixed interval to minimize the kickback phenomenon. Thus,the control of the liquid crystal 210 may be incomplete in the regionbetween the pixel electrode 180 and the gate lines 122, and the firstedge electrode 185 may be disposed adjacent to the gate line 122 and inparallel with the gate line 122 and may suppress the degradation of thevisibility and the decrease in transmittance due to the gate line 122.The specific description of the principles of improvement in thevisibility and improvement in the transmittance of the first edgeelectrode 185 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

The second connection electrode 184_2 may be disposed to overlap thegate line 122 of the previous pixel 10_p. The reason is that the gateline 122 of the previous pixel 10_p does not induce a kickbackphenomenon in the pixel electrode 180 because it is a pixel in which theoperation is already finished. For example, as the gate line 122 of theprevious pixel 10_p and the pixel electrode 180 are disposed close toeach other to such an extent that the second connection electrode 184_2overlaps the gate line 122 of the previous pixel 10_p, an arrangementregion of the pixel electrode 180 may be maximized. Accordingly, thetransmittance may be maximized.

Each of the first auxiliary electrode 186_1 and the second auxiliaryelectrode 186_2 extends along the second direction D2 and is disposed soas to be connected to both distal ends of the first stem electrode 181.The first auxiliary electrode 186_1 and the second auxiliary electrode186_2 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the distal end of theadjacent branch electrode 183.

A third fine slit 193 as an opening portion extending along the seconddirection D2 is formed between the first auxiliary electrode 186_1 andthe branch electrode 183 adjacent thereto, and a fourth fine slit 194 asan opening portion extending along the second direction D2 may be formedbetween the second auxiliary electrode 186_2 and the branch electrode183 adjacent thereto.

Some of a region in which the first auxiliary electrode 186_1 and thesecond auxiliary electrodes 186_2 are disposed may overlap thelight-shielding pattern 125, and may not transmit the light accordingly.However, the first auxiliary electrode 186_1 and the second auxiliaryelectrode 186_2 may improve the visibility of the region in which thethird fine slit 193 and the fourth fine slit 194 are disposed byinteraction with the adjacent branch electrode 183 and may improve thetransmittance.

The protrusion 187 is for connection with another layer, and protrudesfrom the first stem electrode 181. However, the protrusion 187 may alsoprotrude from the second stem electrode 182 in some embodiments, withoutbeing limited to protruding from the first stem electrode 181, and theprotrusion 187 may also protrude from one of the branch electrode 183,the first connection electrodes 184_1, the second connection electrode184_2, the first edge electrode 185, the first auxiliary electrode 186_1and the second auxiliary electrode 186_2. The protrusions 187 may beelectrically connected to the drain electrode 166 through the contacthole 188.

The extended length of the first stem electrode 181 may be longer thanthe extended length of the second stem electrode 182. For example, theextension width of the active region 11 along the first direction D1 maybe greater than the extension width along the second direction D2. Inthis case, the previous pixel 10_p, the pixel 10, and the next pixel10_n that are consecutively arranged along the second direction D2 maybe different from one another in the color of the color filter layer172. For example, the previous pixel 10_p, the pixel 10 and the nextpixel 10_n that are consecutively arranged along the second direction D2may be each of a red pixel 10 for displaying red, a green pixel 10 fordisplaying green, and a blue pixel 10 for displaying blue. Thus, the redpixel 10, the green pixel 10, and the blue pixel 10 that areconsecutively arranged along the second direction D2 are gathered one byone, and may become a basic unit which is recognized as a single color.

In this ways, when the extended length of the first stem electrode 181is longer than the extended length of the second stem electrode 182, thenumber of pixels 10 arranged along the second direction D2 increases,but the number of pixels 10 arranged along the first direction D1decreases accordingly. Consequentially, the number of gate lines 122extending along the first direction D1 increases, but the number of datalines 162 extending along the second direction D2 decreases accordingly.Therefore, the required number of gate drivers for providing the gatesignal to the gate line 122 increases, but the required number of datadrivers for providing the data signal to the data line 162 decreasesaccordingly. In general, because the manufacturing cost of the gatedrivers is lower than the manufacturing cost of the data drivers, themanufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display device can be reducedaccordingly.

The shielding electrode 189 is disposed on the same layer as the pixelelectrode 180 and is formed of the same material, but the shieldingelectrode 189 is physically spaced apart from and is electricallyinsulated from the pixel electrode 180. The shielding electrode 189 maybe made of a transparent conductive material, and the shieldingelectrode 189 and the pixel electrode 180 may be simultaneously formedin the same process using a single optical mask.

The shielding electrode 189 may be disposed in a portion correspondingto the gate line 122 and the data line 162, of the top of the secondpassivation film 174. For example, the shielding electrode 189 isdisposed on the upper side of the gate line 122 and the data line 162 tobe insulated from the gate line 122 and the data line 162, and mayextend along the extension direction of each of the gate line 122 andthe data line 162.

A voltage having the same level as the common signal provided to acommon electrode 340, as described further below may be provided to theshielding electrode 189. However, the shielding electrode 189 may alsomaintain a floating state that is a state in which the voltage is notintentionally provided, without being limited thereto. Thus, it ispossible to minimize a phenomenon in which the liquid crystal layer 200disposed in the upper direction of the shielding electrode 189 isaffected depending on the change in the voltage values of the gate line122 and the data line 162 arranged in the lower direction of theshielding electrode 189, thereby improving the display quality.

Meanwhile, a first alignment film may be further arranged on the pixelelectrode 180. The first alignment film may control an initial alignmentangle of the liquid crystal 210 injected into the liquid crystal layer200.

Hereinafter, the second display substrate 300 will be described.

The second display substrate 300 includes a second base substrate 310, alight-shielding member 320, an overcoat layer 330, and a commonelectrode 340.

The second base substrate 310 is disposed to face the first basesubstrate 110. The second base substrate 310 may have durability capableof withstanding an external impact. The second base substrate 310 may bea transparent insulating substrate. For example, the second basesubstrate 310 may be made of a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, atransparent resin substrate, or the like. The second base substrate 310may be a flat plate type but may also be curved in a particulardirection.

The light-shielding member 320 is disposed on a surface of the secondbase substrate 310 that faces the first display substrate 100. Thelight-shielding member 320 may be disposed to overlap the gate line 122,the data line 162, the thin film transistor 167, and the contact hole188, for example, to overlap the regions other than the active region11, and may cut off the transmission of light in the regions other thanthe active region 11.

The overcoat layer 330 is disposed on a surface of the light-shieldingmember 320 that faces the first display substrate 100. The overcoatlayer 330 may alleviate a step caused by the light-shielding member 320.In some embodiments, the overcoat layer 330 may be omitted.

The common electrode 340 is disposed on a surface of the overcoat layer330 that faces the first display substrate 100. The common electrode 340may be made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tinoxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO) andAl-doped zinc oxide (AZO). The common electrode 340 may be formed by asingle board over the entire surface of the second base substrate 310.The common signal provided from the outside is provided to the commonelectrode 340 and may form an electric field to the liquid crystal layer200 with the pixel electrode 180.

Meanwhile, a second alignment film may be disposed on a surface of thecommon electrode 340 that faces the first display substrate 100. Thesecond alignment film may control an initial alignment angle of theliquid crystal 210 injected into the liquid crystal layer 200, similarlyto the first alignment film.

The liquid crystal layer 200 will be described below.

The liquid crystal layer 200 includes a plurality of liquid crystals 210having dielectric anisotropy and refractive index anisotropy. The liquidcrystals 210 may be aligned in the direction perpendicular to the firstdisplay substrate 100 and the second display substrate 300, in a statein which the electric field is not formed on the liquid crystal layer200. When an electric field is formed between the first displaysubstrate 100 and the second display substrate 300, the liquid crystals210 may change the polarization of light by rotating or tilting in aparticular direction between the first display substrate 100 and thesecond display substrate 300.

The effect of improving the visibility will be more specificallydescribed below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a direction in which the liquid crystal 210 disposedin the region A of FIG. 5 is tilted in a state in which a predeterminedvoltage is provided to the pixel electrode 180. FIG. 5 illustrates astate in which the predetermined electric field is formed in the liquidcrystal layer 200 and the liquid crystals 210 are tilted when the firstdisplay substrate 100 is viewed from the top, and an extension directionof the long axis of the liquid crystals 210 means a direction in whichthe liquid crystals 210 are tilted.

Referring to FIG. 5, the liquid crystal 210 overlapping the first fineslit 191 may be tilted to form a first included angle (θ1) with thefirst direction D1. Further, the liquid crystal 210 overlapping thesecond fine slit 192 may be tilted to faun a second included angle (θ2)with the first direction D1. However, because there are a very largenumber of liquid crystals 210 disposed to overlap the first fine slits191, it is a matter of course that the long axis of the liquid crystal210 and the first direction D1 may form an angle other than the firstincluded angle (θ1). However, because most of the liquid crystals 210form an angle close to the first included angle (θ1), this will bemainly described for convenience. This may also be applied to the liquidcrystal 210 disposed to overlap the second fine slit 192.

Here, the included angle formed with the first direction D1 means anacute angle of the two included angles formed with the first directionD1. In a case where the included angle becomes a positive (+) value whenmeasured in a clockwise direction from the first direction D1, theincluded angle is measured in the clockwise direction. In a case wherethe included angle becomes the positive value when measured in acounterclockwise direction from the first direction D1, the includeangle indicates the value measured in the counterclockwise direction.

When a predetermined voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 180, theliquid crystal 210 disposed in the first fine slit 191 may be tiltedalong a direction parallel to the extension direction of the branchelectrode 183. The extension direction of the first electrode 183 mayform an included angle of about 45° with the first direction D1. Thus,the first included angle may also be about 45°.

Here, the included angle formed between the long axis of the liquidcrystal 210 and the first direction D1 is about 45°. Thus, it may beadvantageous for the visibility by interaction with the pair ofpolarizers. Thus, the liquid crystal 210 disposed in the first fine slit191 may be tilted in a direction that is advantageous for thevisibility.

When a predetermined voltage is provided to the pixel electrode 180, theliquid crystal 210 disposed in the second fine slit 192 may be tilted toform a second included angle θ2 with the first direction D1. The firstincluded angle θ1 may be larger than the second included angle θ2.However, even if the second included angle θ2 is larger than the firstincluded angle θ1, the second included angle θ2 may have an angle lessthan 90° by the first edge electrode 185. For example, because the forcein which the liquid crystal 210 attempts to tilt acts from the distalend of the first edge electrode 185 in the direction of the portion inwhich the first edge electrode 185 and the second stem electrode 182intersect with each other, the second included angle θ2 may have a valuethat is less than 90° and is about 45°, rather than having the value of90°. Accordingly, the visibility of the region in which the second fineslit 192 is disposed may be improved by the arrangement of the firstedge electrode 185. Further, as the visibility of the arrangement regionof the second fine slit 192 is improved, the liquid crystal 210 of thearrangement region of the first edge electrode 185 and the firstconnection electrode 184_1 as an adjacent region is also affected, andthe visibility may be improved.

Improvements in visibility and transmittance will be described referringto FIGS. 6 to 10.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the direction in which the liquid crystalis tilted along the line III-III′ of FIG. 4 through measurement.

An x-axis of the graph in FIG. 6 represents a distance measured in adirection in which a point indicated by III′ is disposed on the basis ofa point indicated by III in FIG. 4 as an origin point, and its unit maybe μm. In the graph of FIG. 6, a y-axis represents an included angleformed with the first direction D1 of FIG. 4.

In the graph of FIG. 6, a first line L1, a second line L2, and a thirdline L3 represent an included angle formed between the liquid crystal210 tilted by the structure of the pixel electrode 180 of the liquidcrystal display device according to a comparative example and the firstdirection D1. A fourth line L4, a fifth line L5, and a sixth line L6represent an included angle formed between the liquid crystal 210inclined by the structure of the pixel electrode 180 illustrated in FIG.4 and the first direction D1.

Here, the structure of the pixel electrode 180 of the liquid crystaldisplay device according to a comparative example means a structure inwhich the first edge electrode 185 is omitted from of the pixelelectrode 180 structure illustrated in FIG. 4, the length of the branchelectrode 183 is further extended, and the first connection electrode184_1 is disposed at a location of the existing first edge electrode185. For example, it means a structure in which the first edge electrode185 is omitted.

Further, the first line L1 and the fourth line L4 are measured valueswhen the first voltage level is applied to the pixel electrode 180, thesecond line L2 and the fifth line L5 are measured values when the secondvoltage level is applied to the pixel electrode 180, and the third lineL3 and the sixth line L6 are measured values when the third voltagelevel is applied to the pixel electrode 180. Here, the second voltagelevel has a voltage value higher than the first voltage level, and thethird voltage level may have a voltage value higher than the secondvoltage level.

Referring to FIG. 6, the fourth line L4 is illustrated on a lower sidethan the first line L1, the fifth line L5 is illustrated on a lower sidethan the second line L2, and the sixth line L6 is illustrated on a lowerside than the third line L3. For example, in the case of the structureof the pixel electrode 180 according to an example embodiment includingthe first edge electrode 185, the included angle formed between theliquid crystal 210 and the first direction D1 may be about 45°, ascompared to the case of the structure of the pixel electrode 180according to the comparative example. For example, it is possible tocheck that the visibility is improved.

Further, as indicated in all of the first to third voltage levels, it ispossible to check that the visibility is improved in most cases of thevoltage level applied to the pixel electrode 180.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the degree of improvement in visibilityof the liquid crystal display device according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1.

An x-axis of the graph of FIG. 7 represents the gradation of each pixel10, and a y-axis represents the brightness. A maximum value ofbrightness represented by the y-axis is 100, and its unit is %. In thisgraph, the reference of the maximum value of brightness will be definedas a case where the liquid crystal display device having a gradation of64 is viewed from the front.

The seventh line L7 in the graph of FIG. 7 represents brightness foreach gradation when the liquid crystal display device according to thecomparative example is viewed from the front, the eighth line L8represents brightness for each gradation when the liquid crystal displaydevice according to the comparative example is viewed from the side, andthe ninth line L9 represents brightness for each gradation when theliquid crystal display device according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 is viewed from the side.

Referring to FIG. 7, in most of the gradations, for example, in thegradations in the range of 0 to 50, the ninth line L9 may be relativelycloser to the seventh line L7 than the eighth line L8. For example, in acertain gradation among the gradations in the range of 0 to 50, adifference in measured values along the ninth line L9 and the seventhline L7 may be smaller than a difference in measured values along theeighth line L8 and the seventh line L7. Consequentially, it is possibleto understand that the liquid crystal display device according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 has a difference in front brightnesssmaller than that of the liquid crystal display device according to thecomparative example in most gradation ranges. Accordingly, it ispossible to check that the visibility is improved in the case of theliquid crystal display device according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the degree of improvements intransmittance and visibility of the liquid crystal display deviceaccording to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

In the graph of FIG. 8, both of a bar graph and a line graph areillustrated. Among them, the bar graph represents the value of thetransmittance in unit of %, and the line graph represents the value ofvisibility. The values of y-axis recorded on the left represent thevalue of the visibility, and the values of y-axis recorded on the rightrepresent the value of the transmittance.

Further, the values of the bars and lines described on the leftrepresent the measured values of the case according to the comparativeexample, and bars and the lines described on the right represent themeasured values of the case according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the case according to the comparative exampledescribed above, the transmittance is measured as 100%, and thevisibility is measured as 0.438. Meanwhile, in the case according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the transmittance is measured as102.5%, and the visibility is measured as 0.421. Here, as the value ofthe visibility is low, it means that a difference in brightness betweenthe front and the side is small. As a result, it is possible tounderstand that the transmittance increases and the visibility isimproved according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a photograph obtained when a region corresponding to an activeregion of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1 is viewed from the front, in the liquid crystaldisplay device according to the comparative example, and FIG. 10 is aphotograph obtained when the active region of the liquid crystal displaydevice according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is viewed fromthe front.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in the case of the liquid crystal displaydevice according to the comparative example, it is possible to checkthat the lower end of the region corresponding to the active region 11is viewed brightly but just above the brightly viewed lower end isviewed darkly. Meanwhile, in the case of the liquid crystal displaydevice according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, it is possibleto check that the lower end portion of the active region 11 has auniform brightness. Therefore, in the case of the liquid crystal displaydevice according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, since itrepresents a generally uniform brightness in the active region 11, it ispossible to check that the display quality is improved as compared tothe liquid crystal display device according to the comparative example.

As described in detail below, the shape of the pixel electrode 180 maybe variously modified.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to another example embodiment.

As one example, FIG. 11 illustrates a structure that further includes asecond edge electrode 185_2 a in addition to the first edge electrode185_1 a, as compared to FIG. 4, and illustrates a structure that furtherincludes a fifth fine slit 192_2 a with the addition of the second edgeelectrode 185_2 a.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 and 11. The pixel electrode 180 a according to the present exampleembodiment further includes a second edge electrode 185_2 a disposedadjacent to the second connection electrodes 184_2 as well as the firstedge electrode 185_1 a disposed adjacent to the first connectionelectrode 184_1. The second edge electrode 185_2 a intersects with thedistal end of the second stem electrode 182 and may extend along thefirst direction D1. Consequently, the pixel electrode 180 a according tothe present example embodiment may include the first edge electrode185_1 a and the second edge electrode 185_2 a connected to both distalends of the second stem electrode 182. For example, the arrangement ofthe first edge electrode 185_1 a is not limited to be arranged only onone distal end of the second stem electrode 182.

The sum of a width dt1 of the first edge electrode 185_1 a, a width dt2of the first connection electrode 184_1 and a spaced distance dt3between the first connection electrode 184_1 and the first edgeelectrode 185_1 a may be, for example, 10.5 μm or less, which may helpmaintain a relatively high response speed of the liquid crystal displaydevice. Here, the width dt1 of the first edge electrode 185_1 a, thewidth dt2 of the first connection electrode 184_1, and the spaceddistance dt3 between the first connection electrode 184_1 and the firstedge electrode 185_1 a are based on a length measured along the seconddirection D2.

For example, the width dt2 of the first connection electrode 184_1 maybe less than 3 μm, and the spaced distance dt3 between the firstconnection electrode 184_1 and the first edge electrode 185_1 a may be 2μm or more and 4 μm or less.

The response speed will be further specifically described with referenceto FIGS. 12 through 17.

FIGS. 12 to 14 are photographs of the active region for each time periodwhen the width of the first connection electrode is 2.6 μm, and FIGS. 15to 17 are photographs of the active region for each time period when thewidth of the first connection electrodes is 3 μm.

Here, FIGS. 12 and 15 are photographs of the time when 1800 ms haspassed from the time when the data signal begins to be provided to thepixel electrode 180 a, FIGS. 13 and 16 are photographs of the time when3000 ms has passed from the time when the data signal begins to beprovided to the pixel electrode 180 a, and FIGS. 14 and 17 arephotographs of the time when 3600 ms has passed from the time when thedata signal begins to be provided to the pixel electrode 180 a.

Referring to FIG. 12 through 17, it is possible to check that the liquidcrystal 210 is stabilized within 3600 ms in both of the case where thewidth dt2 of the first connection electrode 184_1 is 3 μm and the caseof 2.6 However, it is possible to check that, when the width dt2 of thefirst connection electrode 184_1 is 2.6 μm, the liquid crystal 210 isstabilized within 3000 ms, and meanwhile, when the width dt2 of thefirst connection electrode 184_1 is 3 μm, even if the 3000 ms haspassed, the liquid crystal 210 is not stabilized. For example, it ispossible to check that, when the width dt2 of the first connectionelectrode 184_1 is less than 3 μm, the liquid crystal 210 is furtherquickly stabilized, and the response speed is improved.

FIG. 18 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 18 illustrates a structure that further includes asecond edge electrode 185_2 b in addition to the first edge electrode185_1 b as compared to FIG. 4, and illustrates a structure that furtherincludes a fifth fine slit 192_2 b with the addition of the second edgeelectrode 185_2 b.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 and 18. The pixel electrode 180 b according to the present exampleembodiment further includes a second edge electrode 185_2 b disposedadjacent to the first edge electrode 185_1 b on the outside of the firstedge electrode 185_1 b, as well as the first edge electrode 185_1 bdisposed adjacent to the first connection electrode 184_1.

Thus, the first edge electrode 185_1 b intersects with the second stemelectrode 182 in a cross shape and extends along the first direction D1,and the second edge electrode 185_2 b intersects with the distal end ofthe second stem electrode 182 and may extend along the first directionD1.

Further, the pixel electrode 180 b may further include a fifth fine slit192_2 b disposed between the first edge electrode 185_1 b and the secondedge electrode 185_2 b, as well as the second fine slit 192_1 b disposedbetween the first connection electrodes 184_1 and the first edgeelectrode 185_1 b.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a region B of FIG. 18.

Referring to FIG. 19, the liquid crystal 210 overlapping the first fineslit 191 may be tilted to form a third included angle θ3 with the firstdirection D1. The liquid crystal 210 overlapping the second fine slit192_1 b may be tilted to form a fourth included angle θ4 with the firstdirection D1. Further, the liquid crystal 210 overlapping the fifth fineslit 192_2 b may be tilted to form a fifth included angle θ5 with thefirst direction D1.

Here, the degree of improvement in visibility may be compared bycomparing the relationship between the third included angle θ3, thefourth included angle θ4 and the fifth included angle θ5 illustrated inFIG. 19 and the first included angle θ1 and the second included angle θ2illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, the third included angle θ3 may bethe same as the first included angle θ1, the fourth included angle θ4may be the same as the second included angle θ2, and the fifth includedangle θ5 may be smaller than the second included angle θ2. Without beingbound by theory, it is believed that the reason is that, because thesecond edge electrode 185_2 b and the first edge electrode 185_1 b areincluded, the force which acts from the distal ends of the first edgeelectrode 185_1 b and the second edge electrode 185_2 b in thearrangement direction of the second stem electrode 182 is enhanced.Thus, the degree of improvement in visibility may be maximized.

FIG. 20 is a graph illustrating the degree of improvement in visibilityof the liquid crystal display device according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 18.

The x-axis of the graph in FIG. 20 represents the gradation of eachpixel 10, and the y-axis represents the brightness. The maximum value ofbrightness represented by the y-axis is 100, and its unit is %. In thisgraph, the reference of the maximum value of brightness will be definedas a case where the liquid crystal display device having a gradation of64 is viewed from the front.

A tenth line L10 in the graph of FIG. 20 represents brightness for eachgradation when the liquid crystal display device according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is viewed from the front, an eleventhline L11 represents brightness for each gradation when the liquidcrystal display device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1is viewed from the side, and a twelfth line L12 represents brightnessfor each gradation when the liquid crystal display device including thepixel electrode 180 b according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1is viewed from the side.

Referring to FIG. 20, in most of the gradations, for example, in thegradations in the range of 0 to 48, the twelfth line L12 may berelatively closer to the tenth line L10 than the eleventh line L11. Forexample, in a certain gradation of the gradations in the range of 0 to48, a difference in measured values along the twelfth line L12 and thetenth line L10 may be smaller than a difference in measured values alongthe eleventh line L11 and the tenth line L10. Consequentially, it ispossible to understand that the liquid crystal display device includingthe pixel electrode 180 b according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 18 has a difference in front brightness smaller than that of theliquid crystal display device according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 in most gradation ranges. Accordingly, it is possible to checkthat the degree of improvement in the visibility of the liquid crystaldisplay device including the pixel electrode 180 b illustrated in FIG.18 is maximized.

FIG. 21 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 21 illustrates a structure which further includes asecond edge electrode 185_2 c, a third edge electrode 185_3 c and afourth edge electrode 185_4 c in addition to the first edge electrode185_1 c, as compared to FIG. 4, and illustrates a structure whichfurther includes a fifth fine slit 192_2 c, a sixth fine slit 192_3 cand a seventh fine slit 192_4 c with the addition of the second tofourth edge electrodes 185_2 c, 185_3 c and 185_4 c.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 and 21. The pixel electrode 180 c according to the present exampleembodiment further includes a second edge electrode 185_2 c disposedadjacent to the first edge electrode 185_1 c to be spaced aparttherefrom on the outside of the first edge electrode 185_1 c, as well asthe first edge electrode 185_1 c disposed adjacent to the firstconnection electrode 184_1. Further, the pixel electrode 180 c furtherincludes a third edge electrode 185_3 c disposed adjacent to the secondconnection electrode 184_2 to be spaced apart therefrom, and a fourthedge electrode of 185_4 c disposed adjacent to the outer side of thethird edge electrode 185_3 c to be spaced apart therefrom.

All of the first to fourth edge electrodes 185_1 c, 185_2 c, 185_3 c,and 185_4 c intersect with the second stem electrode 182, and may extendalong the first direction D1. For example, the first edge electrode185_1C and the second edge electrode 185_2 c are disposed below thefirst stem electrode 181, and the third edge electrode 185_3 c and thefourth edge electrode 185_4 c may be disposed above the first stemelectrode 181.

A second fine slit 192_1 c as an opening portion extending in the firstdirection D1 may be disposed between the first connection electrode184_1 and the first edge electrode 185. A fifth fine slit 192_2 c as anopening portion extending in the first direction D1 may be disposedbetween the first edge electrode 185_1 c and the second edge electrode185_2 c. Furthermore, a sixth fine slit 192_3 c as an opening portionextending in the first direction D1 may be disposed between the secondconnection electrode 184_2 and the third edge electrode 185_3 c, and aseventh fine slit 192_4 c as an opening portion extending in the firstdirection D1 may be disposed between the third edge electrode 185_3 cand the fourth edge electrode 185_4 c.

FIG. 22 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 22 illustrates a structure in which the firstauxiliary electrode 186_1 and the second auxiliary electrode 186_2 areremoved as compared to FIG. 4 and illustrates a structure in which thethird fine slit 193 and the fourth fine slit 194 are also removed withthe removal of the first auxiliary electrode 186_1 and the secondauxiliary electrode 186_2.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 and 22. The pixel electrode 180 d according to the present exampleembodiment may be constituted to include only a first stem electrode181, a second stem electrode 182, a branch electrode 183, a firstconnection electrode 184_1, a second connection electrode 184_2, a firstedge electrode 185, and a protrusion 187. For example, the firstauxiliary electrode 186_1 and the second auxiliary electrode 186_2 asillustrated in FIG. 4 may be omitted.

FIG. 23 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 23 illustrates a structure that further includes asecond edge electrode 185_2 e and a third edge electrode 185_3 e inaddition to the first edge electrode 185_1 e as compared to FIG. 4, andillustrates a structure that further includes a fifth fine slit 192_2 eand a sixth fine slit 192_3 e with the addition of the second edgeelectrode 185_2 e and third edge electrode 185_3 e.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 and 23. The pixel electrode 180 e according to the present exampleembodiment includes the first edge electrode 185_1 e, the second edgeelectrode 185_2 e, and the third edge electrode 185_3 e. Here, the firstedge electrode 185_1 e and the second edge electrode 185_2 e aredisposed below the first stem electrode 181, and the third edgeelectrode 185_3 e may be disposed above the first stem electrode 181.For example, the number of edge electrodes disposed on both sides basedon the first stem electrode 181 may be different.

FIG. 24 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 24 differs from FIG. 4 in that the first edgeelectrode 185 f is connected to the first auxiliary electrode 186_1 fand the second auxiliary electrode 186_2 f. Thus, the extended lengthsof the third fine slit 193 f and the fourth fine slit 194F along thesecond direction D2 may become relatively short.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 4 and 24. The first edge electrode 185 f of the pixel electrode 180 faccording to the present example embodiment is connected to the distalend of the second stem electrode 182, and may be connected to the distalends of the first auxiliary electrode 186_1 f and the second auxiliaryelectrode 186_2 f. Thus, controllability of the liquid crystal 210disposed in a region in which the first edge electrode 185 f and thefirst auxiliary electrode 186_1 f are connected to each other and in aregion in which the first edge electrode 185 f and the second auxiliaryelectrode 186_2 f are connected to each other is improved, and theeffect of improving the visibility may be further maximized.

FIG. 25 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 25 differs from FIG. 4 in that the first connectionelectrode 184_1 g extends in an oblique direction to the first directionD1. Thus, the extended width of the second fine slit 192 g in the seconddirection D2 may also be different depending on the positions.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 4 and 25. The first connection electrode 184_1 g of the pixelelectrode 180 g according to the present example embodiment may extendobliquely in the first direction D1. The first connection electrode184_1 g may have an axisymmetric shape on the basis of the second stemelectrode 182. Thus, the extended width of the second fine slit 192 g inthe second direction D2 may increase as it is away from the second stemelectrode 182. Thus, the spaced distance between the first edgeelectrode 185 and the first connection electrode 184_1 g may increase asit is away from the second stem electrode 182.

FIG. 26 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 26 illustrates a structure that further includes asecond edge electrode 185_2 h in addition to the first edge electrode185_1 h as compared to FIG. 4, and illustrates a structure that furtherincludes a fifth fine slit 192_2 h with the addition of the second edgeelectrode 185_2 h. Furthermore, the first connection electrode 184_1 hand the first edge electrode 185_1 h may extend obliquely in the firstdirection D1.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 and 26. The first connection electrode 184_1 h and the first edgeelectrode 185_1 h of the pixel electrode 180 h according to the presentexample embodiment may extend obliquely in the first direction D1. Forexample, the first connection electrode 184_1 h may extend to form asixth included angle θ6 with the first direction D1, and the first edgeelectrode 185_1 h may extend to form a seventh included angle θ7 withthe first direction D1. Here, the seventh included angle θ7 may begreater than the sixth included angle θ6. Thus, the extended width ofthe second fine slit 192_1 h in the second direction D2 and the extendedwidth of the fifth fine slit 192_2 h in the second direction D2 mayincrease as both the extended widths are away from the second stemelectrode 182. Thus, the spaced distance between the first edgeelectrode 185_1 h and the first connection electrode 184_1 h mayincrease as it is farther away from the second stem electrode 182, andthe spaced distance between the first edge electrode 185_1 h and thesecond edge electrode 185_2 h may also increase as it is away from thesecond stem electrode 182.

FIG. 27 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 27 illustrates a structure in which the third domainregion DM3 and the fourth domain region DM4 are removed and only a firstdomain region DM1 i and a second domain region DM2 i are included ascompared to FIG. 4.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 and 27. The pixel electrode 180 according to the present exampleembodiment includes a first stem electrode 181 i extending along thefirst direction D1, a second stem electrode 182 i intersecting with thefirst stem electrode 181 i and extending along the second direction D2,and a plurality of branch electrodes 183 i extending in the obliquedirection to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 from thefirst stem electrode 181 i and the second stem electrode 182 i. Thefirst connection electrode 184 i is disposed to connect the distal endsof the branch electrodes 183 i disposed in the first domain region DM1 iand the second domain region DM2 i with each other and may be disposedto intersect with the second stem electrode 182 i.

The first edge electrode 185 i is disposed adjacent to the first stemelectrode 181 i to be spaced apart therefrom, and is disposed parallelto the first stem electrodes 181 i. Thus, a second fine slit 192 i maybe formed between the first stem electrode 181 i and the first edgeelectrode 185 i.

For example, even if some of the first to fourth domain regions DM1,DM2, DM3, and DM4 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 are omitted,it is also possible to improve the visibility as in the pixel electrode180 i according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 27.

FIG. 28 is a plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of the liquidcrystal display device according to still another example embodiment.

For example, FIG. 28 illustrates a structure in which the first domainregion DM1, the third domain region DM3 and the fourth domain region DM4are removed and only the second domain region DM2 j is included ascompared to FIG. 4.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 and 28. The pixel electrode 180 j according to the present exampleembodiment includes a first stem electrode 181 j extending along thefirst direction D1, a second stem electrode 182 j intersecting with thefirst stem electrode 181 j and extending along the second direction D2,and a plurality of branch electrodes 183 j extending in an obliquedirection to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 from thefirst stem electrode 181 j and the second stem electrode 182 j. Thefirst connection electrode 184 j is disposed to connect the distal endsof the branch electrodes 183 j disposed in the second domain region DM2j, and may be disposed to intersect with the second stem electrode 182j. The branch electrodes 183 j may be disposed only in the second domainregion DM2 j.

The first edge electrode 185 j is disposed adjacent to the first stemelectrode 181 j to be spaced apart therefrom, and is disposed parallelto the first stem electrodes 181 j. Thus, a second fine slit 192 j maybe formed between the first stem electrode 181 j and the first edgeelectrode 185 j.

For example, even if all the rest except one domain region among thefirst to fourth domain regions DM1, DM2, DM3, and DM4 of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4 are omitted, it is possible to improve thevisibility as in the pixel electrode 180 j according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 28.

FIG. 29 is a layout diagram of a single pixel of a liquid crystaldisplay device according to still another example embodiment, and FIG.30 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the pixel electrode of FIG. 29.

Referring to FIG. 29, a single pixel 10 k of the liquid crystal displaydevice according to the present example embodiment includes an activeregion 11 k, a gate line 122 k, a gate electrode 124 k, a sustainelectrode 126 k, a semiconductor layer 140 k, a source electrode 165 k,a drain electrode 166 k, a pixel electrode 180 k, a shielding electrode189 k and a contact hole 188 k. Further, the pixel electrode 180 kincludes a first stem electrode 181 k, a second stem electrode 182 k, abranch electrode 183 k, a first connection electrode 184_1 k, a secondconnection electrode 184_2 k, a first edge electrode 185_1 k, a secondedge electrode 185_2 k, a first auxiliary electrode 186_1 k, a secondauxiliary electrode 186_2 k, and a protrusion 187 k, and includes afirst fine slit 191 k, a second fine slit 192 k, a third fine slit 193 kand a fourth fine slit 194 k as opening portions according to thestructure of the pixel electrode 180 k.

Here, the related description may be applied to the configurationscorresponding to the configurations according to the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 among the respective configurationsillustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30, unless there is separate explanation.Thus, differences from the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4among the respective configurations illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30 willbe mainly described.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, 29, and 30, a single pixel 10 k of the liquidcrystal display device according to the present example embodiment mayhave the width extending along the second direction D2 longer than thewidth extending along the first direction D1. Further, the length of thesecond stem electrode 182 k extending along the second direction D2 inthe active region 11 k may be longer than the length of the first stemelectrode 181 k extending along the first direction D1 in the activeregion 11 k. For example, the extension direction of the long axis ofthe pixel 10 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 may bechanged, and the relative length relationship between the first stemelectrode 181 and the second stem electrode 182 may also be changed.However, according to the present example embodiment, since the extendedlengths of the first electrode 183 k and the second electrode 183 kalong the first direction D1 become relatively short, the degree ofimprovement in visibility and the degree of improvement in transmittancemay be partially reduced as compared to the degree of improvement invisibility and the degree of improvement in transmittance illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding tothe line I-I′ illustrated in FIG. 1 in a liquid crystal display deviceaccording to still another example embodiment, and FIG. 32 is across-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to the line I-I′illustrated in FIG. 1 in the liquid crystal display device according tothe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 31.

For example, the embodiments according to FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate astructure in which a column spacer 191 l and a spacer 192 l are furtherincluded and a light-shielding member 320 and an overcoat layer 330 areomitted as compared to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 3 and 31 and 32. The liquid crystal display device according to thepresent example embodiment includes a column spacer 191 l which isdisposed to correspond to a region in which the light-shielding member320 of FIGS. 1 to 3 is disposed. The column spacer 191 l may nottransmit light and may cut off light provided from the bottom. As thecolumn spacer 191 l cuts off the light, the light-shielding member 320illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 may be omitted. As the light-shieldingmember 320 is omitted, the overcoat layer 330 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to3 may also be omitted. Accordingly, the common electrode 340 l may bedirectly disposed on a surface of the first base substrate 110.

Also, the liquid crystal display device may further include a spacer 192l for maintaining a space in which the liquid crystal layer 200 l isformed. The spacer 192 l may be formed integrally with the column spacer191 l, and may be formed in a region on which the thin film transistor167 is disposed.

The column spacer 191 l may be disposed between the pixels 10 adjacentto each other to extend along the first direction D1. However, becausethe column spacer 191 l may form a step, it may tilt the liquid crystal210. Therefore, in the case of the liquid crystal display device formedwith the column spacer 191 l, the visibility may be lowered along theedge which extends along the first direction D1, among the edges of theactive region 11. In this case, since the first electrode 183 isdisposed, it is possible to maximize the effect of improving thevisibility.

By way of summation and review, among the liquid crystal displaydevices, vertically alignment mode liquid crystal display devices havebeen developed in which a long axis of the liquid crystal is arrayed tobe perpendicular to the upper and lower substrates in a state in whichno electric field is applied.

The vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display devices may havepoorer lateral visibility than front visibility. For example, the liquidcrystal display device may be more brightly visible when viewed from theside than when viewed from the front, and as the brightness differencebetween the front and the side is large, the visibility gets worse.

As described above, embodiments may provide a liquid crystal displaydevice with improved visibility.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specificterms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In someinstances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art asof the filing of the present application, features, characteristics,and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment maybe used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/orelements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwisespecifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those ofskill in the art that various changes in form and details may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asset forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display device, comprising: asubstrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate, the pixelelectrode comprising: a first stem portion that extends in a firstdirection; a second stem portion that extends in a second directioncrossing the first direction, the second stem portion intersecting withthe first stem portion; a plurality of branch portions, the branchportions extending to a direction intersecting the first direction andthe second direction from the first stem portion or the second stemportion; a first connection portion that connects distal ends of some ofthe branch portions to each other, extends in the first direction, andintersects with the second stem portion; and a first edge portion thatis connected to one distal end of the second stem portion and extends inthe first direction, and a gate line that is disposed on the substrate,is insulated from the pixel electrode, and extends along the firstdirection, wherein the first edge portion of the pixel electrode isdisposed between the first connection portion of the pixel electrode andthe gate line.
 2. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim1, further comprising a data line that is disposed on the substrate, isinsulated from the pixel electrode and the gate line, and extends alongthe second direction.
 3. The liquid crystal display device as claimed inclaim 2, further comprising a thin film transistor that is disposed onthe substrate, and has an input terminal connected to the data line, anoutput terminal connected to the pixel electrode, and a control terminalconnected to the gate line.
 4. The liquid crystal display device asclaimed in claim 2, wherein an extended length of the first stem portionof the pixel electrode is longer than an extended length of the secondstem portion of the pixel electrode.
 5. The liquid crystal displaydevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sum of a width in the seconddirection of the first edge portion of the pixel electrode, a width inthe second direction of the first connection portion of the pixelelectrode, and a spaced distance between the first connection portion ofthe pixel electrode and the first edge portion of the pixel electrode is10.5 μm or less.
 6. The liquid crystal display device as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the width in the second direction of the firstconnection portion of the pixel electrode is less than 3 μm.
 7. Theliquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spaceddistance between the first connection portion of the pixel electrode andthe first edge portion of the pixel electrode is 2 μm or more and 4 μmor less.
 8. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the pixel electrode further comprises a second edge portion thatis disposed between the first connection portion of the pixel electrodeand the first edge portion of the pixel electrode, extends along thefirst direction, and intersects with the second stem portion of thepixel electrode.
 9. The liquid crystal display device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the pixel electrode further comprises a secondconnection portion that connects the distal ends of some of the branchportions of the pixel electrode to each other, extends in the firstdirection, intersects with the second stem portion of the pixelelectrode, and is disposed on an opposite side of the first connectionportion of the pixel electrode in the second direction.
 10. The liquidcrystal display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pixelelectrode further comprises a third edge portion that is connected theother distal end of the second stem portion of the pixel electrode andextends in the first direction.
 11. The liquid crystal display device asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the pixel electrode further comprises afourth edge portion that is disposed between the first connectionportion of the pixel electrode and the first edge portion of the pixelelectrode, extends along the first direction, and intersects with thesecond stem portion of the pixel electrode.
 12. A liquid crystal displaydevice, comprising: a substrate; and a pixel electrode disposed on thesubstrate, the pixel electrode comprising: a first stem portion thatextends in a first direction; a second stem portion that extends in asecond direction crossing the first direction, the second stem portionintersecting with the first stem portion; a plurality of branchportions, the branch portions extending to a direction intersecting thefirst direction and the second direction from the first stem portion orthe second stem portion; a first connection portion that connects distalends of some of the branch portions to each other, extends in the firstdirection, and intersects with the second stem portion; a first edgeportion that is connected to one distal end of the second stem portionand extends in the first direction; a first auxiliary portion that isconnected to one distal end of the first stem portion of the pixelelectrode and extends in the second direction; and a second auxiliaryportion that is connected to the other distal ends of the first stemportion of the pixel electrode and extends in the second direction. 13.A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a substrate; and a pixelelectrode disposed on the substrate, the pixel electrode comprising: afirst stem portion that extends in a first direction; a second stemportion that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction,the second stem portion intersecting with the first stem portion; aplurality of branch portions, the branch portions extending to adirection intersecting the first direction and the second direction fromthe first stem portion or the second stem portion; a first connectionportion that connects distal ends of some of the branch portions to eachother, extends in the first direction, and intersects with the secondstem portion; a first edge portion that is connected to one distal endof the second stem portion and extends in the first direction, wherein aspaced distance between the first edge portion of the pixel electrodeand the first connection portion of the pixel electrode increases as itis farther away from the second stem portion of the pixel electrode. 14.The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst edge portion of the pixel electrode is disposed adjacent to thefirst stem portion of the pixel electrode to be spaced apart therefrom.15. A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a substrate; a firstgate line and a second gate line that are disposed on the substrate,extend in a first direction, and are insulated from each other; a dataline that is disposed on the first gate line, is insulated from thefirst gate line and the second gate line, and extends in a seconddirection crossing the first direction; and a pixel electrode that isdisposed on the data line and is insulated from the first gate line, thesecond gate line, and the data line, the pixel electrode comprising: afirst stem portion that extends in a first direction; a second stemportion that extends in the second direction and intersects with thefirst stem portion; a plurality of branch portions, the branch portionsextending to a direction intersecting the first direction and the seconddirection from the first stem portion and the second stem portion; afirst connection portion that connects distal ends of some of the branchportions to each other, extends in the first direction, and intersectswith the second stem portion; a second connection portion that connectsthe distal ends of the remaining branch portions to each other, extendsin the first direction, and intersects with the second stem portion onan opposite side of the first connection portion; and a first edgeportion that is connected to one distal end of the second stem portionand extends in the first direction, wherein the first edge portion isdisposed between the first connection portion and the first gate line,and the second connection portion is disposed to overlap the second gateline.
 16. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 15,wherein the extended length of the first stem portion of the pixelelectrode is longer than the extended length of the second stem portionof the pixel electrode.
 17. The liquid crystal display device as claimedin claim 16, further comprising a thin film transistor that is disposedon the substrate, and has an input terminal connected to the data line,an output terminal connected to the pixel electrode, and a controlterminal connected to the first gate line.
 18. The liquid crystaldisplay device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second gate line iselectrically insulated from the thin-film transistor.
 19. The liquidcrystal display device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising ashielding electrode that is disposed on the same layer as the pixelelectrode and spaced apart from the pixel electrode, and extends in thefirst direction to partially overlap the first gate line and the secondgate line.
 20. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first connection portion of the pixel electrode, the branchportions of the pixel electrode, the first edge portion of the pixelelectrode, and the second stem portion of the pixel electrode aredisposed directly on a same layer and include a same material.
 21. Theliquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the firstconnection portion of the pixel electrode, the branch portions of thepixel electrode, the first auxiliary portion of the pixel electrode, thesecond auxiliary portion of the pixel electrode, the first edge portionof the pixel electrode, the first stem portion of the pixel electrode,and the second stem portion of the pixel electrode are disposed directlyon a same layer and include a same material.
 22. The liquid crystaldisplay device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first connectionportion of the pixel electrode, the branch portions of the pixelelectrode, the first edge portion of the pixel electrode, and the secondstem portion of the pixel electrode are disposed directly on a samelayer and include a same material.
 23. The liquid crystal display deviceas claimed in claim 15, wherein the first connection portion of thepixel electrode, the second connection portion of the pixel electrode,the branch portions of the pixel electrode, the first edge portion ofthe pixel electrode, and the second stem portion of the pixel electrodeare disposed directly on a same layer and include a same material.